parallel port cam software

[mikie]

Hi Guys,

Instead of having to use a driver (encoder chip), whats stopping us from using the parallel port to drive the stepper motors. I believe ezy-cam is capable of this.


Are there any limitation, other than the ttl output levels?
Does anyone else know of any other parllel port software cam packages?


Any help really appreciated

Michael

[creative_mind]

Go ahead and visit this site www.artofcnc.ca and check out the Mach1 and the Mach2 software, demo's available.

[abasir]

Yes, it's possible to drive stepper without encoder (i.e., wave drive). TurboCNC can do this. For unipolar (4 lines/stepper), you are limited to 3 axis only. Using step/dir encoder, you can double that.

[c_nut]

Yes, as abasir said, that is correct TurboCNC will do it and the schematic is on the website. A little scary with no isolation, so a plug in parallel port card or a 'old' computer is best. I have run steppers both with this setup and with step direction and both work well. Just the possibility of a shorted transistor taking out the computer needs to be addressed. Opto isolators could easily be inserted between the I|O port and the transistors. The three axis limit has not bothered me as yet.

Every advantage has a down side.
c-nut


Every advtange

[jasminder]

actually i want to drive a stepper using an h bridge with through parallel port.
but i am failed to configure turbocnc phase definations.
you are saying that you have tried it.
can you please help me.

jasminder singh